Spending my Winnings

On Halloween, JBelle hosted a Mad Lib inspired contest at Huckleberries Online. With DD's help I was able to conjure up one of three winning entries. I had a blast laughing over the silliness and that would have been reward enough, but JBelle was generous in handing out fifty dollar bills to the winners.

When I picked up my prize from DFO at the Spokesman office, I already had plans for it in my mind. I had a list of household supplies I could spend it on, charities I could donate it to and other people I could buy for. DFO put an end to all those plans when he gave me strict instructions to spend the prize money only on something fun for myself and DD.

It didn't take much convincing, but it did take a lot of thought as to what fun thing I would do with my money. The bill sat sealed in it's envelope in my car for about 10 days before I could settle on a plan. I decided the money would best be spent on a spur-of-the-moment, last outing before winter, trip to Seattle.

DD and I love to travel, but it's usually well thought out and planned for weeks in advance. This time I planned the trip in two days and sprung the news on DD 12 hours before our departure. I had the suitcases packed, the car loaded and hotel reservations made. DD was shocked, but game for adventure.

Munchkin's always ready for a vacation with Mom and Dad, so he happily settled in to the car for the drive. From our garage to the time we were sitting in the House of Hong watching the dim sum carts go by was four and a half hours. A temptingly short amount of time in the car to experience the best dim sum I've had so far. The House of Hong was decorated in an upscale version of the expected Chinese/American decor. The dim sum carts were loaded with delicious looking steamed and fried small plates. We sampled the barbecued pork, pork dumplings, vegetable egg rolls, barbecued pork buns and pork egg rolls. The flavors were so fresh and good that my mouth is watering just writing about it.

We spent the afternoon wandering through the tourist shops on the waterfront. We won a plastic shark from the arcade on the pier. We watched container ships pass through the bay with the snow capped Olympic Mountains as a backdrop. Most importantly, we didn't have a schedule or rush around. We took our time and enjoyed being in the city.

After a night in a hotel, we browsed through Pike's Place Market, enjoying the crowd free shopping of late fall. We bought croissants from La Panier and munched them as we walked. Munchkin truly enjoyed his first real French treat, refusing to share a bite. The Space Needle caught the attention of Munchkin and he had to know it's location during our whole visit. We stood underneath and were awed by the space-aged architecture. Tears were shed by our three-year-old as he had to say goodbye to the Seattle icon.

Our final stop in Seattle was Steamers on the waterfront. Munchkin and I dined on clam chowder and fish and chips while DD had chicken strips. I'm not sure I would enjoy a steak while overlooking a cow field, but fish and chips sure taste better while looking at salt water. It must be the fresh sea air.

We all were a little sad to say goodbye to the city as we headed home. We didn't go up in the Space Needle or any major attractions. We didn't rush around cramming all of the sites into one day. We just all enjoyed being away from home and spending time together.

Obviously my prize money didn't cover all the costs for the trip, but what's important is that it inspired the trip. Thanks, JBelle, for the inspiration, the good laugh and the prize.

Vacation Yearnings

Our week on the Oregon Coast was really enjoyable. We had excellent weather for the area and time of year. The highs were in the 50's and 60's (one day it was 70) with no wind. It's almost unheard of not to have wind at the Coast. We put in enough time with wind at home on the prairie that it was a really nice break.

I'm homesick for vacation already. I do a lot of planning and organizing to make sure our vacations go off without a hitch. We also make a point of doing a lot of relaxing and napping so we don't get burned out during trips. Besides, we just really like traveling.

This year vacation had a different dynamic. We sold our house just prior to the start of our trip. That meant there was a lot of emails, phone calls and faxes between us and our realtor while we were away. I became familiar with the Newport, Ore., library for printing off forms and the local Staples for sending faxes. I'm glad we sold our house, but working during vacation takes something away from the care-free feeling you should have.

Another way vacation was different this year is because it marked a change in our lives. We left Post Falls with a spotless house in preparation for more showings and an inspection. When we returned, we realized that for the first time in seven months we didn't have to keep the house "showing ready" anymore. It felt like we were given our lives back. I could once again leave the house on a whim without doing dishes, cleaning toilets or picking up toys in case of a last-minute showing. We discovered we had a lot more free time.

Most of that free time is now taken up by packing and preparing for moving in less than a week. We still are stuck in a vacation mind set, yearning to have a fun family weekend routine (something that went by the wayside when the for sale sign went up). Each Saturday brings comments like, "Let's go the the (Portland) Saturday Market, then get some dim sum for lunch," or "I bet there's a good sushi bar by the Saturday Market." Munchkin thinks he sees lighthouses all over town and repeatedly asks to go to one. I'm having withdrawals from my daily cup of clam chowder or two.

I know once we move and have yard work and decorating to do, we'll get new routines started. Until then, we'll be dreaming about our return to the Coast. As DD says, we can go back. Next year.

Better than Christmas

Don't get me wrong. I like Christmas. Are there many people who don't?

What I like better than Christmas is vacation, especially our annual trip to the Oregon Coast. I think it is because I have more control over vacations. I get to choose where we stay and what we do (DD gets a little say). And vacations last longer. Instead of one day, we get a whole week to enjoy.

I've got this year's trip mapped out. A day of driving to Portland. One night stay in the city, with stops at the Saturday market, the House of Louie for dim sum, Uwajimaya, and the hobby store (DD's choice). Then we'll head out through Tillamook for ice cream, cheese curds and pepperoni sticks. A couple hours down the coast and we'll reach our destination.

Each year we rent a vacation house with our friends. We check out houses and reserve them through the Internet. This year's house promises to be oceanfront with sandy beaches. There should be lots of room to spread out and we'll be within walking distance of a lighthouse and bay front attractions. It's always a bit of a risk and we never know exactly what we are walking into, but I think this year will be the best yet.

24 Hour Vacation

This time of year the cabin fever strikes and we get the itch to travel. The recent stretch of foggy, rainy, grey weather hasn't helped much. Neither has the pre-planning of our Spring Break trip. We've got our week on the Oregon Coast booked and are counting down the days.

To shake things up a bit, we embarked on a local mini vacation. Out the door and back within 24 hours, traveling less than 30 miles and spending just about $55, we played tourist in our own town.

Hudson's Hamburgers

We started the adventure with a trip to Hudson's Hamburgers in downtown Coeur d'Alene to join in their 100th anniversary celebration. I hadn't enjoyed a Huddy burger in quite a few years since we never seem to be able to squeeze in the time. We arrived just before noon, but didn't have to wait too long for seats to open at the counter. For you out-of-towners, Hudson's has only one dining counter. It seats about 16 people. You can watch the hamburgers cooked right from your perch. The hamburgers are hand formed from a large pile of ground beef right at the grill. Your choices are simple and haven't changed much during the past 100 years: single or double, cheese, onions and pickles. You add your own ketchup or Huddy sauce from the squirt bottles on the counter.

And you never, ever ask for French fries. They have never been and never will be a part of the Hudson's menu. It's rumored you will be denied service if you even mention the word. I dared DD to ask for fries, but he was too chicken. Good thing, because I was hungry for a hamburger.

I wasn't disappointed. One taste, and I was reminded why Hudson's has been a downtown staple for so long. It's just down right good every time. You know your food is fresh, down to the pickles and onions being sliced just before being put on the bun. Your order is taken right at the counter, and never written down. It is also never messed up. You get exactly what you asked for. Seconds, often even thirds are carried over by hand and placed on your plate. It's simply good food and good service.

Cost for 2 hamburgers, 2 cheeseburgers, 1 soft drink and tip: $12

Subway
On our way out of town to our feature destination, we stopped by the Subway on Northwest Blvd to pick up sandwiches for dinner. This has to be my all time worst experiences in a Subway. There was one employee working. Since it was 3 p.m., there was only one other customer in the restaurant. I lost track of time, but it took about 20 minutes to have three sandwiches made. DD was waiting in the car with a sleeping Munchkin and started to become concerned I was being held hostage or something.

The problem was, the one employee working was new. I had to tell him what meats go on certain sandwiches. Then, he was distracted by the batch of bread overcooking in the oven. Finally, he labored over how to ring up the sale. I must have been in a good mood not to walk right out. The only reason I didn't was the employee was really nice and trying very hard. It wasn't his fault he didn't have help. It seems to be more and more common in fast food around here. Besides, the sandwiches tasted excellent.

Coeur d'Alene Casino
Just a quick 30 minute drive from town, the Coeur d'Alene Casino appears to sit in the middle of nowhere. In reality, is only a few minutes from the small towns of Worley and Plummer. It is an expansive building consisting of two hotel wings, hundreds of gaming machines, a cafe, buffet and deli, plus convention and event facilities. Across the parking lot is the Circling Raven golf course and club house.

Reservations are a must on Friday and Saturday nights, especially when the Casino issues coupons. We cashed in on our Coyote Rewards Club $19.95 hotel coupon. That's right. A hotel stay for only 20 bucks. Anyone can join the Rewards Club. It allows you to get points for the money you spend gambling. They also send a monthly newsletter with coupons (the more you spend, the better the coupons).

The room we had was a hundred times nicer than the Motel 6's we usually stay in. They are decorated with twig furniture and Indian inspired fabrics. Our room had two queen beds, a desk and chair, two arm chairs with an ottoman and a tv armoire. The room was large enough that it didn't feel crowded with all of the furniture. Since we are cable tv deficient at home, we were happy to crash on the beds and catch up on the non-network channels. Munchkin thought he was pretty cool having his own bed to spread his cars out on.

The Casino buffet is pretty well known in the area. I've had the Friday night seafood buffet and it was really good. For $17.99, you get all-you-can-eat top quality seafood. And trust me, I can eat a lot of King crab legs. Anyway, during this visit, we decided to forgo the dinner buffet (prime rib is available most nights) and save the calories for breakfast. We dined on our Subway sandwiches in the room before heading down for a swim at the indoor pool. Munchkin had a great time splashing and swimming. The pool even has an area at one end that is just 1 foot deep.

DD and I switched off hanging out in the room with Munchkin so the other could take a chance with the slot machines. Being the big gamblers that we are, we hit up the penny machines. I, as usual, lost my funds. Luckily, DD won it all back. We came out even in the end, not bad for a few hours of entertainment.

The breakfast buffet at the High Mountain Buffet could make you go crazy trying to decide what to eat. They offer made-to-order omelets and eggs, waffles, French toast, at least three different potatoes, sausage patties and links, bacon, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, breads, desserts and even more that I can't remember. The $7.99 includes all beverages. It was hard to leave, especially after I tried a mini eclair. Who would've thought they make an excellent breakfast item?

We just made the 11 a.m. checkout time, not in an hurry to end our mini vacation. We were treated with sunshine for the drive home. A taste of spring to help get us through the rest of winter.

Cost for hotel and breakfast: $37.13